To thine own self be true: Even though Billy was a Baptist evangelist, Ruth remained a Presbyterian and attended the Montreat church where her parents were long-time members. With Billy’s frequent and long absences, it made sense for Ruth to grow spiritual roots in her home church and community. She had enough courage and character to know who she was and what she needed to do for her own and her children’s spiritual growth. She apparently recognized that she would have to depend upon God (rather than Billy) for the everyday circumstances of her life as the mother of five children. The support of her church family was undoubtedly a factor in her being able to carry her burdens with indefatigable energy and a ready smile.

Keep a youthful outlook and embrace challenges throughout life: Ruth was a motorcyclist and even took up hang-gliding well past middle age. She enjoyed practical jokes and lively interaction with family and friends. There are numerous stories about her mischief as well as her teasing of her husband so that he wouldn’t take himself too seriously. She had a sign above her door stating: “Nobody knows the trouble I’ve been.”

Perhaps her best advice, though, was when she told her daughters that their responsibility toward their husbands was not to “make them good,” but to “keep them happy.” She took it as her calling to nurture and keep her whole family happy, especially Billy. In a life full of wonderful accomplishments, keeping her husband happy, and thus well-equipped emotionally for the demands of his ministry – along with helping to insulate him from many of the temptations that went with his fame – numbers as one of her greatest achievements.

Who can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates.